They are all living with pain. Young widow Amber is single-handedly trying to raise her daughter Bree and to make the ends meet - and she is not succeeding there. Also, she has lose her faith - because didn't she love God with all her might? So why had her husband has to die?
Her mother-in-law Pattie, successfull cosmetics dealer, sees Amber struggling - and would like to help - but her way. Unfortunately these two women do not see eye to eye, both judging the other one, both loving the deceased Darren and Bree, his young daughter.
Enter Cody Jackson, irresponsible racecar driver. This small city will mess up with his life, values and heart - for the good reason.

Firstly - this authoress is immensely talented. By description this novel seems like the very stereotypical read - but it is not.
I love how she was not afraid to go messy with her characters, whom all are doing one mistake after another, learning the hard way. No saints here - luckily! Because we simply are not saints, we are all brokenhearted people here. So I love their journeys to maturity - fighting their pride, egos, behavioural patterns, prejudices...name it. This people, while all of them being good persons, would never probably could work together - unless the love bigger than their love of themselves would connect them and teach them.

Also - this novel, while lovely, of quality and tender-hearted - could use some polishing, too. How the characters' s catharsis have happened? And why so fast? After all the realistic messiness of their lives I would love to see the moments and processes of changes, too.
But this is also the testament of the authoress' s immense talent, as she simply is capable of going further from this point on.

Also, let me state the point which is both plus and minus for me - Pattie is some kind of independent cosmetic saleswoman (with the My Way brand, probably invented for the novel) and her praising her brand on practically her every scene can really get bothersome. But this is honest "botheringness" and it adds volumes of reality to the story.

This is a meaningful book that explores finding God when tragedy strikes. I related to this story more than I thought I would, the characters are realistic and the storyline is intriguing. Great book.

I enjoyed picking up this book, since the song the title is based on is so iconic. I enjoyed the characters and thought the book to be well written.

What a poignant, heartwarming story Jennifer Dornbush has written. I was drawn immediately into this book by the realistic, engaging characters and the emotional subject. The author has done a great job of pushing through the grief, pain, and brokenness of the heroine to get to healing through God’s love and trust. A sweet message of hope and courage is woven into the story and adds dimension and depth to it. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy emotional, realistic stories.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I didn't enjoy reading this book. I wasn't able to finish it. Thanks for the opportunity to review it.

God bless the broken road song by Rascal Flatts was played when I walked down the aisle to marry my husband, so when I was sent a e-copy of this book I knew I had to read it. This is a very tender hearted story, with a powerful message.

Dornbush crafted this novelization of the movie with the same name. She participated in writing the screenplay and has done an excellent job on the novelization.

Amber is trying to maintain a life for her and her daughter, Bree. Her job as a waitress is just not enough to make ends meet. She's angry at God for letting her army husband be killed in Afghanistan. She's stuck in a world of hurt and anger.

Cody is a race car driver who has crashed one too many cars. His sponsor has sent him to work with Joe in his garage, hoping for an attitude adjustment. Cody has difficulty accepting Joe's sage advice. Cody meets Amber and attempts the first acts of a fledgling romance.

Bree was my favorite character by far. She is a sweet little girl with a faith to move mountains. She forms a bridge between Amber and God and between Amber and her mother-in-law. Bree is definitely the hero of the story, even though she has to take some desperate actions that hurt others to ultimately bring healing.

There are many aspects of the novel I liked. The characters are well crafted and the novel was well written. There are many issues explored in the plot, including being mad at God, distancing one's self from friends after a tragedy, financial responsibility, healing grief, and much more.

One aspect of the novel I found puzzling was that there no mention of Social Security survivor's benefits for Bree after Darren was killed. Also not mentioned was the Veteran's Affairs monthly payments for surviving Amber and Bree since Darren died in active duty. Amber would have received nearly $1,500 a month in VA benefits for her and Bree. She would also have medical benefits and the ability to shop at a base commissary and exchange for life. That is not something that should have been left out in this novel since a major factor was Amber's financial situation. The novel gives the impression the military ignores the financial support of surviving families. That is just not the case.

I recommend this novel to those who enjoy a novel of healing and restoration when one's life includes a journey down a broken road. Just be aware of the lack of information regarding how the military helps surviving families of military killed in action.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

GOD Bless the Broken Road is one of the tender hearted Christian fictions, Boy does it put the song to shame and that's a good thing because the song was number one multiple weeks. This book shows grief, loss, and how to get over it or will you never get over your loss/grief you go through it's but here. Amber had to go through her grief with her daughter - about her husband and her daughters Dad the feelings that you go through with them are so real - I found myself crying - but - I have suffered my own loss so I can associate - then she was having finance problems )who doesn't) but this is bad - let me tell you how seriously bad - no you have to read the book to find out what all is happening to find out how bad and what they are doing to her - When it rains on her it falls on her - but if it were me it would be the time to turn to GOD and rely on HIM - but will she - maybe - maybe not - I think you will be surprised - This book is not the same ol' same ol' you truly will be surprised with the story - with the love - because will there be love - she meets Cody - who helps out with Ambers daughter - but will there be romance - there are so many twists and turns but what remains constant is a GOD that loves us - her - all of them - but will any of them turn to HIM - rely on HIM - trust in HIM - give over their pain to HIM to heal their hearts? You will be surprised I tell ya - get this book - find out - and you will love it - read this before the movie comes out - the movie NEVER tells you all that the book does.......don't miss out.

I was initially attracted to this book because of it's title ,God Bless The Broken Road. What I had hoped for was the same heart tugging emotions in the book that I get from the song, and I got that and more.
Amber was a mess after her husband was killed while in active duty, her life was literally falling apart she was loosing her house, her mother in law was trying to take her daughter the last thing she needs is a man.. or is it?
I really wasn't sure what to expect from a book titled after a song, but I'm really glad I gave it a chance. Jennifer takes on a journey that no one wants to go on, and does it wonderfully. If you enjoy Christian fiction/ romance I definitely recommend this one.



I voluntarily reviewed this for Netgalley and Howard Books

An inspirational story...looking forward to seeing the movie portrayal of this story.

Cody is sent to hicksville USA to train for next car race and this could make or break his career he just needs to show everyone in his racing world that he has what it takes. When Joe his trainer has other was of showing Cody whats important Cody starts to questions Joe's moves and whats he going to do next. When someone catches Cody's eye he wonders what is next in his time here in Clarksville.
Amber has is all a beautiful house, a beautiful daughter and a husband who is the love of her life and will be coming home any day now. When Ambers world comes crashing in around her she finds herself in a world of hurt and a battle of survival and faith. She starts to question her faith and her everyday walk and wonder what more could go wrong in her life she just needs a break. Will she be able to heal and still continue to raise her daughter and find happiness in it all or will she be so far sucked into her grief she can't find a way out?

This book is not your normal Romantic fiction book. This book deals with lost, love, heartbreak and finding healing in the greiving process while trying to make it through everyday life. I really did enjoy this book it seemed a little long sometimes but others times the book just flew by and I had a hard time putting it down wanting to know what happens next. I did not like Pattie I found her annoying, pretentious and a straight up know it all busy body. I loved how Bree was such an active role and the author didn't try and to make her perfect but made her relatable and allowed her grief to shine in the book as well. You will need to grab some tissue when you read this book there are so heart moments through out. This book was a really good read and well worth it. I can't wait to read more from this author. This is a good clean fiction book.